The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-03-29

| req STOCKINGS IuTllcu lusiuc OuJ iis
though to air Indeed, | am telling
the truth when | tell it, that while the
detectives back was turned searching
Annie's small dish cupboard, John
quickly stuffed that par of red stock.
ings IN his coat pocket! Why he did
so he could never satisfactorily ex-
plain. Then, as he sat there on the
bed, looking around upon the tidy
disorder, it came across him what
was the reason OF Annie's confusion
and distress, for, astute as mankind is
generally believed to be, he could dim
ly imagine that no little woman as
neat as Annie could endure to have
her castle caught in such confusion.
Perhaps, had it been the detective
alone, she would not have cared; and
then John smiled compacently to
himself. 1t was her neat-iitting dress
and dainty linen collars and always
spotless white aprons that had first
attracted Johns attention; and then
it was the pretty face, with its pleas
ant smile and independent eyes that
had increased that interest, until it
had eliminated in his meanly pocket.
ing her red stockings.
AT last the detective gave up in de-
spair.
"She has hidden them some place
else" he said shortly.
"She never had them at all, replied
John, calmly.
"Then what made her act so guilty."
questioned the other, almost believing
himself in ner innocence.
"Don't knowl" answered John
laconically. When they returned to
the factory, there was quite n coniu-
sion and hub.bub, for the Jewels had
been found by another detective EN-
ployed by Dingus in the possession OF
a notorious pickpocket, who, dissuls'
ed as woman, had slipped into the
store with the crowd of factory girls.
Everybody was glad, and con
graduated Annle-even the smart
detective did, although he could
not help wishing she had
been so considerable rs to
assist him to gain that reward. But
Annie could not look John straight
in the face. Poor child! what feelings
would have been hers had she known
the enormous bulge in Johns Jacket
pocket was caused by her very identi.
cal red stockings laid out to air that
morning? John OF whom she never
dreamed as other than "Mr. Dart"
even though she worked faster when
he came her WI. and perhaps felt
more anxiety about the smooth mass
es OF light brown hair than at any
other time?
Well when the two officers had gone
and all had settled to work again.
John came to Annier chair and sand
kindly:
"AIiss Annie that detective turned
everything in your room in such aw'
ful confusion, it will take you all day
to straighten it up again, so If you
like | have gotten permission for you
to take the remainder OF the day, and
no reduction to be made"
"Thank you-you are very kind"
she murmured, but she would not look
ut him and seemed so confused that big,
good natured John turned away III
pure kindness and let her make her
escape unnoticed.
Annie fled homeward, dashed into
No. 80, glanced wildly over the room,
then burst into tears.
ooh, dearl OH, dearp she sobbed.
"There was my nightdress on the bed,
and my slippers, and my bed not up
and, oh! potatoes in the skillet
Oh, he will think am u regular SLOW
EN- Why couldn't it happen any
other time than when | had to sleep
so late | couldn't even eat my break
fast Oh, dear he will never like me
again lie couldn't after seeing such
a looking room" She did not stop to
think that her castle looked worse
when they had left than wnen they
entered. but as the disorder
worried her so much, she could not sit
still and cry, she began her task. 1t
was some time before the detectives
work was undone, everything in trim
order with the mattress rolled up
and the bed folded against the wall
like book cabinet and the few dishes
washed, and the tiny stove blacked
and the screen set around it, and the
one table covered with n gaily emf
broiderel cloth, all OF which trans
formed .1 kitchen and bedroom in.
to a cosy little sittine-room as
though by IL iairy's wand. 1t was a
dainty little place, nothing expensive,
but exquisite in the taste and tact
displayed. The prevailing colors were
deep red and pale blue and gold, with
many neutral tints blended in the vari.
Gus bits OF fancy work. On a brac'
ket was a bit of white stauary
set on delicate mating of
the tender green leaves OF o growing